There's more to that list of sure things in life than just death and taxes.

How about the Toronto Raptors playing poorly when they come home from the West?

Once again making lethargy their calling card on their first outing following a western road swing, the Raptors allowed the Detroit Pistons to escape a sold-out Air Canada Centre with an 88-84 victory last night that was only close because the Pistons weren't all that great either.

Turning their last two possessions of the season's closest game into a botched pick and roll and a shot that clanged off the side of the backboard, the Raptors saw their three-game winning streak deservedly come to an end.

"This was a golden opportunity for us," said coach Lenny Wilkens.

Well, it was opportunity lost.